Puerto Rico Police Officer Sentenced in Drug Case

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- A former Puerto Rico police sergeant has been sentenced to 12½ years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to import drugs from Colombia aboard ships.

Victor Esquilin Rosa also was accused of providing protection to drug traffickers who visited the U.S. Caribbean territory.

U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez said Thursday that Esquilin was the only one of four defendants who pleaded guilty in the case. The remaining three were convicted at trial and are awaiting sentencing.

Esquilin is one of dozens of Puerto Rico police officers who have been accused of drug trafficking in recent years.